10 Places You Probably Forget to Dust #HealthierHome

I’m putting my Filtrete Ambassador cap on today. And, I have a list of the 10 Places You Probably Forget to Dust (but really should!) Are you guilty of skipping any of them? Read on to find out.

As an allergy sufferer, I know how important it is to dust before vacuuming your home. Recently we spent a week in a condo near the ski slopes in Colorado. I was in AGONY allergy-wise. As I looked closer at my surroundings I realized that although the condo looked clean, there were many places that housekeeping had neglected. ;-(

For you or the allergy sufferers in your family, here are some helpful tips to improve the way you dust and potentially make your home healthier for you and your family.

The Basics of Dusting for Allergy Sufferers:

Dusting if you have allergies is slightly different than for those that don’t have allergies. The goal is to trap the dust, pollen, animal dander (or other allergens), not spread it around or make it airborne. Use damp rags (wet with water is fine) or vacuum cleaner attachments. You might also be able to use a microfiber duster like a Swiffer, but personally I find a wet rag works better (and costs less.) Be sure to fold your rag frequently and use a clean side. Never use a feather duster, it will just launch the dust into the air. The good news is that if you do dust this way, you likely won’t need to dust as often because you will be eliminating it and not spreading dust around.

Always start from the top of your room and work your way down. After the room is dusted, vacuum the floor and rugs. Pay special attention to the edges of the room by using the crevice tool or just taking off the floor head and use the hose.

10 Places You Probably Forget to Dust:

1. Ceiling Fans – Have you ever looked at your fan blades? Do you see dust hanging from the edges of your blades? Yes? Then they are way overdue for a cleaning. But, even if you don’t see dust, there is probably a layer on top of the blades and the fan motor. If you have a light kit, don’t forget to dust the light shades as well.

2. Lamp Shades – Speaking of light fixtures, one of the biggest offenders in the condo were the lamp shades. On closer inspection they had a nice fuzzy layer of dust. Lampshade can easily be cleaned with the vacuum and a small brush attachment. But, you can also wipe it off with a damp rag.

3. Blinds and Curtains – Accordion and slat blinds are the equivalent of a high rise apartment building for dust bunnies. Be sure to vacuum and/or dust the blinds at least once a month. I saw a great tip for dusting mini blinds. Put an old sock over your hand, dampen it and run it between the slats.  

4. Plants – Plants are great for cleaning your indoor air, but they are often overlooked when it comes to dusting. Use a soft damp rag to dust leaves or take the plant and run it under the sprayer in your sink or shower. Not only will you remove dust, but your plants will thank you for helping them breathe better and absorb the suns energy more effectively.

5. Under Furniture – when was the last time you looked under your bed? You may not see a scary monster, but you might just find a scary monstrous site. Dust can still accumulate underneath furniture, so be sure to vacuum underneath beds, chairs, sofas and other large furniture.

6. Light Fixtures – Look up at your light fixtures. If they have a clear glass globe, it’s easy to see when they need dusting. But, the frosted globe light fixtures mask an accumulation of dust. Turn off the light and let it cool down. Then remove or wipe out the light fixture with a damp rag or a rag sprayed with window cleaner.

7. Behind Appliances –  When was the last time you wiped behind the small appliances? The toaster, mixer, coffee maker, and other small appliances provide a good hiding spot for dust. Move them each time you dust and be sure to get those fugitives. It’s not necessary to clean behind the fridge every time you dust, but try to tackle that spot twice a year. Make a point to do the same for your oven and other large appliances. It helps to have a friend or spouse to help move the bigger appliances.

8. Electronics – Televisions, computers, music systems and other home electronics are dust magnets. Be sure to wipe them with a damp cloth, microfiber rag, or specially formulated screen cleaners. Don’t forget to wipe underneath and behind them as well.

9. Ceiling Vents – Believe it or not, ceiling vents can trap a lot of dust. Especially the circular type. It might be worth it to take them down once or twice a year and clean them with warm soapy water. In the meantime, just wipe a damp rag over the rim (the top side you can’t see.)

10. Air Intake – Speaking of vents, the air intake for your heating and cooling system needs regular cleaning as well. When you change your filters, be sure wipe around the edges or vacuum the fins. No use changing your filters if you aren’t going to address the dust around it. Replacing your filters regularly with a Filtrete Allergen Defense 1000 will help reduce airborne allergens in the home and clean indoor air. A good quality Filtrete filter will help collect some of the dust that you didn’t capture while cleaning, as well as other allergens in the home that aggravate allergy symptoms.

If you keep up with the dusting, you or your little allergy suffer will be much happier and healthier!

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post for Filtrete. I have the honor of being an ambassador for them and have been sharing information from 3M Filtrete. I was given key messages to share, but all the words and thoughts are my own.  I have been compensated for my time and for this post. I continue to work with certain companies like Filtrete that I believe in, because of their quality and because I feel they have helpful messages for my readers. I will always disclose to you if you are reading a sponsored post. #HealthierHome

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